Chandigarh: The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday gave nod to the Rs 100 crore ropeway project that would connect Anandpur Sahib with Naina Devi in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.

A decision to this effect was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here.

A joint venture special purpose vehicle -- Sri Naina Devi Ji and Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji Ropeway Company Pvt Ltd – would be formed to develop this project on design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis or any other appropriate PPP format as may be finalised and mutually agreed to parties, a spokesman said.

The Cabinet also gave approval to set up two self- financed private universities which would come up at Fatehgarh Sahib and Jalandhar.

Approval was also given for amendment in the Optimum Utilisation of Vacant Government Land scheme to enable the government for creating a special Punjab Infrastructure Fund.

In a decision, the Cabinet also approved to create 134 new posts in the seven state run nursing schools. These posts include six principals, seven vice-principals, 100 tutors and 21 additional tutors which would entail extra burden of Rs 423 crore annually on the state exchequer.

The Cabinet also approved to take these posts out of the purview of the State Services Selection Board so as to enable the Directorate of Health Services to fill these posts in accordance with Indian Nursing Council's rules and criteria.

Approval was also given for amending Rule 1.1 of the Punjab Police Rules, 1934, thereby abolishing the provision of separate cadre of women in the force thus facilitating to constitute a common cadre of male and female police officers.

On the recommendations of the Punjab Governance Reforms Commission, the Cabinet also approved the introduction of facilitation charges for the services provided to the people.